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R. I. P. Mitsuharu Misawa

R. I. P. Mitsuharu Misawa

Posted: Jun 14th 2009 By: Claude "Bud" Guffey II

Another one of the greats has passed, in what seems to be a heart-breaking trend. Mitsuharu Misawa, an absolute legend in Japan, tragically died Saturday, June 13, 2009 after suffering a heart attack following a belly-to-back suplex. He did not die in the ring, but later at the hospital. He was only 46 years old.

Many American wrestling fans may not have heard of Misawa. In Japan, he was a larger-than-life superstar. He was trained by Dick ?The Bruiser? Beyer, Shohei ?Giant? Baba (another Japanese legend), and Dory Funk, Jr.

He wrestled for a while as Tiger Mask (the second version), after All Japan Pro Wrestling had purchased the rights to the gimmick from New Japan Pro Wrestling, who used the gimmick with wrestler, Satoru Sayama.

During his time with AJPW, Misawa won the following titles:
--AJPW All-Asia Tag Team Championship (2 times)
--AJPW Triple-Crown Heavyweight Championship (5 times)?Unification of the NWA United National Championship, PWF Heavyweight Championship, and the NWA International Heavyweight Championship
--AJPW Unified World Tag Team Championship (6 times)
--NWA International Junior Heavyweight Championship
--PWF World Tag-Team Championship
--Champion?s Carnival (1995, 1998)?Annual single-elimination, singles tournament held by AJPW, using round robin rules.
--World?s Strongest Tag-Team League (1992, 1993, 1994, 1995)?A tournament held annually by AJPW, using round robin rules.

After the death of the legendary, Giant Baba, Misawa became the president of AJPW until a disagreement between he and Giant Baba?s widow led to his departure from AJPW and the formation of Pro Wrestling NOAH. During his stint in NOAH, Misawa won the following titles:
--GHC Heavyweight Championship (3 times)
--GHC Tag-Team Championship (2 times)
--Global Tag League (2009)?Similar to AJPW?s World?s Strongest Tag-Team League

In addition to his many honors in pro wrestling, including, but not limited to being ranked #2 in the PWI 500 in 1997, he has had the privelege of wrestling some of the greatest talents in pro wrestling history. Several well-know American wrestlers had the privelege of wrestling Misawa, including Terry ?Bam Bam? Gordy, Steve ?Dr. Death? Williams, and Stan ?The Lariat? Hansen, to name a few.

Mitsuharu Misawa will be one of the many stars that will be missed in the Japanese professional wrestling landscape. His contributions to the sport in his home country are equivalent to that of America?s Harley Race, Bruno Sammartino, or Ric Flair, just to name a few. In short, he was great, and his legacy will be hard to follow. Rest in peace, Misawa.

From all of us here at the Maximum Wrestling Alliance, our condolences go out to his family, friends, and fans.

Sincerely,

Claude ?Bud? Guffey II
Maximum Wrestling Alliance
ESG Entertainment, LLC

 

Tags: Terry Gordy, Steve Williams, Stan Hansen, Ric Flair

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  • 1980 Gino Hernandez def. Kevin Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
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Week of Sun 05-19 to Sat: 05-25

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  • 05-19 1989 Super Zodiac & Cactus Jack def. Jeff Jarrett & Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW World Tag Team Champion
  • 05-19 1989 Super Zodiac def. Eric Embry for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-19 2007 Brent Albright def. Rocco Valentino for the NWA-U Universal Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-19 2007 Texas, Inc. (Tim Rockwell & Bernard Funk) def. Mass Destruction (Spoiler 2000 & The Bounty Hunter) for the NWA-U Universal Tag Team Champion
  • 05-19 2012 Ignition def. Steven Sterling for the ComPro Showtime Champion
  • 05-19 2012 Super Skunk Ape, Jr. def. Se7en for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
  • 05-19 2018 Jerry Dean/Jerry Storm became the BPW Lion Heart Champion
  • 05-19 2018 Aaron Anders def. Michael Wolf for the ComPro Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-19 2023 Brody Wortman def. Skidz for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 05-19 2023 Skidz def. Brody Wortman for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 05-19 2023 Jason Simon def. Skidz for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
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  • 05-19 2023 Jason Simon def. Punk Synister for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 05-19 2023 Brandon Groom def. Jason Simon for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 05-19 2023 Punk Synister def. Brandon Groom for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 05-19 2023 Jason Simon def. Punk Synister for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
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  • 05-21 2017 Von Erichs (Marshall Von Erich & Ross Von Erich) def. The Arrow Club (Kyle Hawk & Ky-Ote) for the IWR Tag Team Champions
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  • 05-22 2009 Texas Outlaws, Inc. (Tim Rockwell & Bernard Funk & Bobby Burns & J. W. Hardin) became the TAP Tag Team Champions
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  • 05-23 2004 Se7en & Li'l Joe def. Bernie Donderwitz & Mr. Brown for the ACW Tag Team Champions
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  • 05-23 2009 Sage def. Rage Logan for the SWCW Cruiserweight Champion
  • 05-23 2010 Damien Morte def. Crisstopher Crow for the SWCW Cruiserweight Champion
  • 05-23 2015 Brad Michaels def. Jermaine Johnson for the IZW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-23 2020 Cody Burns def. Drake Gallows for the BCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-23 2021 Luke Savage def. Garcia for the ASP Mid-American Champion
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05-19
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  • Andre the Giant May 19th Today!
  • Bateman May 19th Today!
  • Buzz Markley May 19th Today!
  • Mongol May 19th Today!
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  • Donna Christanello May 23rd
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